Number-printing mechanism.



W. P. QUENTELL.

NUMBER PRINTING MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 7, 1917.

1 12405256. PatentedSept. 18, 1917.

WILLIAM P. QUENTELL, OF NEW YORK, N'. Y.

kinni/nannamartine MncHANIsM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 18, 191 '7.

Application filed. May 7, 1917. Serial No. 166,918.

Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. QUEN- TELL, a citizen lof the United States, residing at New York, in the county of New York and' State of New York, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Number-Printing Mechanisms, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a mechanism for printing or recording numbers capable of use either as a 'separate machine or as a constituent part of a numbering machine, recording register, or other device in which mechanism of this character is employed.

The invention has for an object the provision of' simple and efficient mechanism for printing amounts having any number of figures (within the capacity of the machine) y wherein the necessary zeros at t-he right of av significant figure will be automatically printed, but wherein the printing of unnecessary zeros at the vleft of the signicant figure ofthe highest order or denomination will be omitted.

Another object of the invention is the provision of mechanism for printing amounts having variable or vdierent numbers of figures, each amount being printed by a single impact, wherein the force of the impact is automatically proportioned to the number of figures printed. In this connection it will be noted that. the greater the number of figures printed at a single operation, that is to say, the greater the number of types yprinted from, the greater will be the force necessaryto secure a proper and even impression. For example, a blow heavy enough to produce av satisfactory impressi onfrom a single typerwill not be heavy enough to produce a clear impression from, say, six types, while, on the other hand, a blow of the proper force to obtain the desired impression from six types if delivered upon a single type will be heavier than necessary and may even cause the said type to cutthe paper and injure the platen.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention, together with nmeans whereby the same may be carried into effect, will best be understood from the following description ofone form or embodiment thereof illustrated in the accompanying drawings. lt will be understood, however, that the particular `construct-on and arrangement clescribed and shown have been chosen for illustrative purposes merely, and that the invention, as defined by the claims hereunto appended, may be otherwise practised without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view.

Fig. 2 is a plan view, partly broken away.

Fig. 3 is a detail section on the line 3-3, Fig. l.

Theinvention is herein shown as embodied in a separate number printing machine, although, as above noted, and as will hereinafter be pointed out more in detail, the mechanism herein shown may be readily employed as the number printing mechanism of any machine requiring such mechanism.

rlhe machinel frame, as shown, comprises end ujiirights 12 connected by rods o1' shafts 13, 14, 15, 16, etc., of suitable number and arrangement. 17 denotes a platen (herein shown as a roller journaled on the uprights 12) for supporting a paper record slip 18 between which and the types is interposed an inking ribbon 19. The parts thus far described may be of any usual or well known type and arrangement and specifically constitute no part of the present invention.

Suitably supported in the machine frame is a series of vertical bars or guides 20 whose number depends upon the desired capacity of the machine, The machine herein shown is designed te print amounts up to six fignres. and six bars 20 are accordingly provided. Guided for vertical movement on the bars 2O are slides 21 retained in position on said bars by bent. over ears 22 embracing said bars, said slides normally resting by gravity upon stop studs 23 projecting from the sides of the bars. Pivoted at 24 to the slides 21 are type bars or carriers 25 constituting printing` members and each carrying a series of types representing the digits from 0 to 9. indicated in Fig. 1. The arrangement is such that when the slides 21 are in their .normal or lower-most positions in engagement with the stops 23, the type bars 25 will'be in their zero positions, that is to sav. the 0 type of the several bars will be in printing position opposite the inking ribbon 19 and platen 17. Vertical movement of a slide 21 with its type bar 25 from the Zero position causes'said type bar to be moved longitudinally across the platen and the types thereon to be brought successively to the printing position, so that the several type bars may be independently adjusted to print any desire-d digit, respectively.

The means for moving the slides 21 to adjust the type bars 25 will depend `upon the character of the machine with which the printing mechanism is used. For example, if employed in connection with a recording cash register or adding machine, the slides 21 may be operatively connected, by any suitable means, with the registering or coniputing members of the machine, the movements of which members, as will be familiar to those skilled in the art, are usually proportionate to the amounts to be registered or added. As illustrative of means for adjusting the type bars, the slides 21 are herein shown as provided with forwardly extending arms 27 carrying linger pieces 28, whereby said slides may be. manually raised to any desired point. Each of the slides 21 is formed with a series of ratchet teeth 29 corresponding in number and spacing with the types 26. Coperating with the ratchet teeth of the several slides is a series of pawls 30 .independently pivoted on a shaft or rod 14 and eachconnected by a spring 31 with a rod 13. The pawls 30 serve to retain the slides 21 and type bars 25 in any position into which they may be raised and also operate to aline the types on the several bars in printing position. For releasing the pawls 30 `to allow the slides and type bars to return to the normal or zero position, there is shown a bail 32 extending across the series of pawls and having at its ends arms 33 loosely pivoted on the shaft 14. For actuating the bail 32, said bail may be operatively connccted with a suitable part of the machine in which the printing mechanism is used, whereby said bail will be moved to release the pawls at or near the completion of the cycle of operations of the machine. As herein shown, however, the bail 32 is provided with a finger piece 34 whereby it may be manually operated.

For moving the type bars 25 transversely toward the platen 17 about their pivots 24 to effectthe printing impression there is provided a bail 35 having at its ends arms 36 rotatably mounted on a sha-ft or rod 15. The path of movement of the bail 35 about the axis of the shaft 15, as indicated by the line A in Fig. 1, is such as to cause said bail to pass over, without engaging all of the type bars Q5which are in the normal or zero position, but to engage and move toward the platen any type bar which has been moved ont of the zero position or adjusted to print a digit greater than 0. One of the arms 36 of the bail 35 is provided with an extension 51 which is engaged rby a lug 37 on a lever or arm 38 pivoted on the shaft 15 and the upward movement of which is limited by engagement thereof with a stop rod 16. Quick upward movement of the lever 38 against the stop 16 causes the bail 35 to be thrown by momentum toward the type bars to effect the printing. The lever 38 may be actuated at the proper time by means of operative connections with a suitable moving part of the machine in which the printing mechanism is used. As herein shown, however, said lever is provided with a finger piece 39 whereby it may be manually thrown sharply against the stop 16 to propel the bail 35 by momentum toward the type bars, as above explained.

Each of the type bars 25 with the exception of that farthest toward the right e., the bar of lowest denomination, or units bar) `has riveted or otherwise secured to its right side a plate or angle bar 40 havin a laterally extending flange l1 overlapping the next adjacent type bar of a lower order or denomination. The arrangement is such that, when any type bar is struck by the bail 35 and propelled toward the platen, the flange 41 thereon will engage and propel the next type bar toward the right, and the flange on that thc next type bar, and so on, so that all type bars of lower order than that struck will be Vlnought against the platen, notwithstanding the fact that some or all of these may be in the zero position, and consequently out of the path of movement of said bail.

From the foregoing it will be Seen that when the bail 35 is operated it will strike only those type bars which have been moved out of' the zero position, that none of the type bars of higher order than the highest 011e struck by thebail will be moved against the platen, but that all type bars of lower order than the highest one struck will be moved. For example, if only the bar farthest toward the right (the units bar) be raised from the zero position, that bar only will be moved against the platen. If, on the other hand. the bar farthest toward the left, (that of the highest order; herein the hundrcd-thonsands bar) be operated, all of the bars will strike the platen. In other words, the number of type bars operated may vary from one up to the maximum number in the machine. In order that the force-of the printing impression` may be constant, irrespective of the number of type bars operated, it is desirable that the bail 35 strike and actuate said type bars with a force varying with said number. To this end said bail is formed with a stepped forward edge 42 so arranged as to engage the type bar of the highest order, if not all, at a relatively early period of its movement and the type bars of successively decreasing orders, if at all, at successively later periods. As the bail propels the type bars through its momentum, it has less power during the latter part of its movement when part of its momentum is spent) than during the earlier part. This loss of momentum may be occasioned by various causes, for example, gravity, friction, etc., or special means may be provided for this purpose, as hereinafter described. 1t therefore Vfollows that the type bar of the highest order, which carries with it all the rest, is moved if at all, with the greatest force, and that the type bars of successively decreasing orders (carrying with them successively decreasing numbers of other type bars) are moved, if at all, with successively decreasing force. For the purpose of checking the momentum of the bail 35 there is preferably' provided a spring 43 secured at one end to one of the frame members 12 and at the other to a slide 44 working in a slot 45 in the corresponding arm 36 of the bail. rl`he slot 45 provides a certain amount of lost'motion between the bail and spring, whereby said spring is caused to come into action during the latter part of the movement of the bail and oppose and reduce the forcethereof. lf desired, and as shown in F 1,'a plurality of springs may be employed, in which event the slots 45 for the several springs will. preferably be made of different lengths, sol that said springs bccome operative at different times and thereby oppose a progressively increasing resistance to the force of the bail-at successively later stages of its travel.

The type bars 25 are inclosed by a frame 46 suitably secured at its ends to the uprights 12` and, preferably, at intermediate points to the tops of the guides 20, said frame being slotted or cut away, as at 47 to receive the arms 36 of the bail 35. The upper and outer portion 48 of said'frame is engaged by the angle bars 40 and acts as a stop to limit the outward movement of said bars away from the platen. Secured to the frame 4G is a Aflat spring 49 having a series of light spring fingers 50 which engage the inner faces ofthe type bars, said spring fingers normally holding said type bars against the stop 48, preventing them from falling against the platen during their adjustment. by the slides v21 and arms 27, and causing them to rebound or move promptly out of contact with the platen after the printing impression.

-T he complete operation of the mechanism is as follows: Suppose. for example, it be desired to print the amount 3400. The third type bar from the ri ht (hundreds bar) is raised by its arm 2 four spaces, bringing the type thereon bearing the figure 4 into printing position opposite the platen, said type bar being retained in this position -by the engagement of the corresponding pawl 30 with lthe fourth tooth 29 (from the top) on the corresponding slide 21. Similarly the fourth .type bar from the right (the thousands bar) is raised three spaces to bring its type bearing the figure 3 to the printing position. The lever 3S is then givena sharp upward stroke against its stop 16, causing it to throw the bail 35 toward the type bars, as above explained. Said bail passes over the type bars to the left of the thousands bar, so that, although these bars are in position to print zeros, they are not actuated, and no unnecessary or nonsigniiicant zeros are printed at the left of the 3. The thousands bar is however, struck and actuated by the portion of the bail designated by the letter B in Fig. 2, and the flange 41 on said bar engages and actuates the hundreds bar, so that the figures 3 and 4 are printed by said thousands and hundreds bars respectively. Also the flange 41 on the hundreds bar, by engagement with the next bar to the right (the tens bar) moves said bar toward the platen, and the flange on the tens bar similarly actuates the units bar. As the tens bar and units bar are both in zero position with their types bearing the .ligure O opposite the platen, zeros are thus automatically printed in the tens and units places. It will thus be seen that when the thousands bar is struck by the bail 35, four type bars are actuated to print, and the part B of the bail is so spaced with respect to said bar that, at the time of strikingsame, the momentum of the bail will be just sui'licient to supply the force necessary to secure the proper or desired impressions from four types.l After the printing operation the bail 32 is operated to release the pawls 80 from the ratchet teeth 29 of the several slides 21, thereby permitting such slides and type bars as have been adjusted to print figures greater than 0 (i. e., the hundreds and thousands bars) to return to their normal or zero positions.

The connections above referred to Whereby the slides 21, bail 82, and lever 38 may be automaticallyr or mechanically operated from suitable moving parts of a numbering, registering or adding machine are not shown herein as their precise nature will depend upon the particular type of machine in which the printing mechanism is used. Such machines lof the several kinds mentioned, and others, are provided with number printing mechanisms and with means for adjusting and operating the same and the adoption of suoli means to the purpose of adjusting and operating the mechanism, herein shown would, it is thought, be well within the range of mechanical skill. Specifically these operating connections form no portion of the present invention which relates to a number printing mechanism 79er se, capable of use either separately or in substitution for the corresponding mechanism in any machine employing such a mechanism, and not in 'such a machine as a whole.

While 4the type vbars 25 are herein shown as vertically arranged, it is obvious that, if necessary or desirable they might be horizontally disposed; also that the slides 2l might, in some situations, be dispensed with and the type bars connected directly to the parts of the machine which control the adjustment of the bars.

Havingl thus described my invention, I claim l. In a number printing mechanism, a series ot type members independently movable in one direction to adjust the same to print different figures and in another direction to effect the printing impression, and means ope-rated by said type members whereby each ot' the type members of lower order is operated when the yncxt adjacent type member of a higher order is moved in said lastnamed direction.

2. In a numbei` printing mechanism, the combination with a platen, of a series of type bars each carrying a series of figure types, and each longitudinally movable across said platen to bring any of said types into oper-y ative position, and also transversely movable toward said `platen to impress the same, the type bars'of the higher orders each having a laterally extending flange overlapping the next adjacent type bar of a lower order.

In a number printing mechanism, in combination, a series of type members, independently movable in one direction from a zero position to adjust the same to print figures greater than 0, said type members being also movable in another direction to effect the printing impression, means operated by said type members whereby each of the type members of lower order is operated when the next adjacent type member of a higher order is moved in said last-named direction, and means for moving in said lastnamed direction a type member which has been moved out of the zero position.

4. Ina Vnumber printing mechanism, the combination with a platen, of a series of type bars each carrying a series of figure types, and each longitudinally movable across said platen to bring any of said types into operative position, and also transversely movable toward said platen to impress the same, the type bars of the higher orders each having a laterally extending flange overlapping the next adjacent type bar of a lower order, and a bail for engaging and moif'ing'said type bars toward said platen, the path of movement of said bail being such as to permit the same to engage said type bars only when the latter have been adjusted to print figures greater than 0. v

5. In a number printing mechanism, the combination with a series of type carriers independently movable in one direction to adjust the same to print different figures and in another direction to effect the printing impression, and means intermediate said type carriers whereby each of the type carriers of lower order is operated when the next adjacent type carrier of a higher order is moved in said Alast-named direction, of l. bail for engaging and moving said type carriers in said last-named direction, and means for throwing said bail by momentum toward said type carriers.

In a number printing mechanism, the combination with a plurality of printing devices adjustable to print different numlrrs of characters from the several printing devices,'ot means for actuating said printing devices with a variable force automatically controlled in accordance with the number of printing devices actuated.

7. In a number printing mechanism, in Combination, a series of type carriers independently movable in one direction from a. zero position to adjust the same to print figures greatertlian O, said type carriers be' ing also movable in another direction to effect the printing impression, means intermediate said type carriers whereby each of the type carriers of lower order is operated when the next adjacent type carrier of a higher order is moved in said last-named direction, and means for moving said type carriers in said last-named direction,'said means being arranged to move the type carrier of the highest order with a relatively great force and type carriers of lower orders with relatively less force.

S. In a number printing mechanism, in combination a series of type carriers independently movable in one direction from a zero positionto adjust the same to print ligures'greater than 0, said type carriers being also movable in another direction to effeet the printing impression, means intermediate said type carriers whereby each of the type carriers of lower order is operated when the next adjacent type carrier of a higher order is moved in said last-named direction, and means for moving said type carriers in said last-named direction, said means being arranged to move the type carrier of the highest order with the greatest force and the type carriers of successively decreasing orders with successively decreasing force.

9. In a number printing mechanism, in combination, a platen, a series of type bars each carrying a series of figure types, and each longitudinally movable across said platen to bring any of said types into operative position, and also transversely movable toward said platen to impress the same, the type bars of the higher orders each having a laterally extending flange overlappin the next adjacent type bar of a lower or er, u. bail for engaging and moving said type bars toward said platen, 'said bail having a stepped edge adapted to engage the type bar of the highest order at a relatively early period of its movement and the type bars of successively decreasing orders at successively later periods, the path of movement of said bail being such as to permit the same to enga-ge said type bars only when the latter have been adjusted to print figures greater than O, and means for throwing said bail by vmomentum toward said type bars.

10. In a number printing mechanism, in combination, a platen, a series of type bars each carrying a series of figure types, and each longitudinally movable across said platen to bring any of said types into operative position, and also transversely movable toward said platen to impress the same, the type bars of the higher orders each having a laterally extending flange overlapping the next adjacent type bar of a lower order, and a bail for engaging and moving said type bars toward said platen, said bail having a stepped edge adapted to engage the type bar of the highest order at a relatively early period of its movement and type bars of lower orders at relatively later periods, the path of movement of said bail being suoli as to prevent the same from engaging any type bar in a position to print 0, whereby said bail engages only the type bar of the highest order which has been adjusted to print a ligure greater than 0, said type bar carrying with it toward the platen all type bars of lower orders.

l1. In a ynumber printing mechanism, in combination, a platen, a series of type bars each carrying a series of figure types, and each longitudinally movable across said platen to bring any of said types into operative position, and also transversely movable toward said platenl to impress the same, the type bars of the higher orders each h/aving a laterally extending flange overlapping the next adjacent type bar of a lower order, a bail for `engaging and moving said type bars toward said platen, said bail having a stepped edge adapted to engage the type bar of the highest order at a relatively early period of its movement and the type bars of successively decreasing orders at successively later periods, the path of movement of said bail being such as to prevent the same from engaging any type bar in a position to print O, whereby said bail engages only the type bar of the highest order which has been adjusted to print a iigure greater Copies of this patent may be obtained for than O, said type bar carrying with it toward the platen all type bars of lower orders, and means for throwing said bail by momentum toward said type bars.

l2. i'n a number printing machine, in combination, a series of type carriers independently movable in one direction from a Zero position to adjust the same to print iigures greater than O, said type carriers being also movable in another direction to el'llect the printing impression, means intermediate said type carriers whereby each of the type carriers of lower order is operated when the next adjacent type carrier of a higher order is moved in said last-named direction, a bail for engaging and moving in said last-named direction all type carriers which have been moved out of the Zero position, said bail and type carriers being relatively constructed and arranged to cause said bail to engage the type carrier of the highest order at a relatively early period in its travel and type carriers of lower orders at a relatively later period, means for moving said bail toward said type carriers, and a spring for resisting the latter part oilthe movement of said bail.

i3. ln a number printing mechanism, in combination, a series of type carriers indepondcntly movable in one direction from a zero position to adjust the same to print figures greater than 0, said type carriers being also movable in another direction to eiilect the printing impression, means inter-' mediate said type carriers whereby each oi the type carriers of lower order is operated when the next adjacent type carrier oi a higher order is moved in said lastnamed direction, a bail for engaging and moving in said last-named direction all type carriers which have been moved out of the zero position, said bail having a stepped edge adapted to engage the type carrier of the highest order at a relatively early period in its travel and the type carriers of successively decreasing orders at successively later periods, means for throwing said bail by momentum toward said type carriers, and a series of springs for resisting the latter part of the movement of said bail toward said type carriers, said springs being constructed and arranged to become operative upon said type carriers at successively later periods, respectively.

In testimony whereof l aiix my signature.

WILLIAM P. QUENTELL.

ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, IJ. C. 

